MODERN PENTATHLON
For those of you who are new to Modern Pentathlon here is a quick insight into this unique sport.
The Sports
1. Air pistol shooting 2. Epee Fencing 3. Swimming 4. Show jumping and finally a 3 km Cross country run.
How does it work?
Both men and women complete all five events of the Modern Pentathlon in one day. A points system for each event is based on a standard performance earning 1,000 points. The point’s difference between the athletes after four events is converted into a time for the final discipline the 3000 meter run, with the leader setting off first, whoever then crosses the finish line first is the overall winner.
History
The Modern Pentathlon was introduced at the 5th Olympiad in Stockholm in 1912, embracing the spirit of its ancient Olympic counterpart, hence why its called Modern Pentathlon. It was Pierre de Coubertin’s belief that it would be the event, above all others, that "tested a man’s moral qualities as much as his physical resources and skills, producing thereby the ideal, complete athlete.” Women were introduced into the Olympic program in 2000.
The choice of the five diverse and unrelated sports that make up the Modern Pentathlon arose out of the romantic, tough adventures of a liaison officer whose task to deliver a message was hindered when his horse is brought down in enemy territory. Having defended himself with his pistol and sword, he swims across a raging river and delivers the message on foot.
The Disciplines Explained:
International competitions usually consist of a semi final consisting of all the events except riding, the top 36 athletes will make it through to the final a day later, where all five disciplines are undertaken in one day, there is normally a thirty minute break in between events.
- Shooting - . 177 Air pistol, 20 Shots at a standard pistol target, 40 seconds per shot
- Fencing - 1 Hit epee fencing, 1 minute per bout, if no touch is recorded, it is counts as a double defeat
- Swimming - 200 Meter Freestyle race
- Riding - Show jumping on a unknown horse drawn out of a hat, 12 jumps including a treble and double up to 1 meter 20 cms in height.
- Running - 3000m cross country Run, handicap start (points are converted into time) the winner is person who crosses the finish line first
International Events:
Competitions are organized by the UIPM, there is a world cup series throughout the year culminating in the world cup final at the end of the year, and a World and European Championships every year.
The 2009 Competition calendar is as follows:
| DATES | EVENT | COUNTRY | CITY |
| 11th to 15th March | World Cup 1 | Mexico | tbc |
| 19th to 22nd March | World Cup 2 | USA | Atlanta |
| 16th to 19th April | World Cup 3 | Egypt | Cairo |
| 7th to 10th May | World Cup 4 | Hungary | Budapest |
| 28th to 31st May | World Cup 5 | Russia | Moscow |
| 24th to 30th June | European Championships | Germany | Leipzig |
| 11th to 19th August | World Championships | Great Britain | London |
| 11th to 13th September | World Cup Final | Brazil | Rio de Janerio |
Interested in Pentathlon?
Please contact me if you have any questions regarding taking pentathlon up as a sport, for more information check out my guide on > How to Take Up Modern Pentathlon
